The ancient Indian coins are the favourite part of my collection. A closer analysis of different coins over a historical period can tell us a lot about its history
For instance, Picture (a) is from the early 1700s, when the East India Company had not yet set camp in India.
Once the East India Company set foot in India, we can see how they tried to establish their stand in Picture (b)
When Victoria ascended the throne, she instructed the East Indian Company to stop minting their own coins, and endorse the Kingdom instead, (Picture (c) )
Meanwhile, the Portugese were beginning the annexation of Goa, and to depict their competence, they had introduced their own currency, as seen in Picture (d)
And finally, with tensions between Indai and Britain going to an all-time-high in the mid 1900s, Picture (e) shows how native languages had found a place on the coin in an attempt to lower the tension.
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There are a lot more interesting events we can infer from the Princely State Coins of my collection, but I’ll let you discover that yourself :)
Thanks to the many people who have contributed to this collection. I love collecting coins and if you are an enthusiast too, I’ll gladly trade
And finally, the coins might be ordered in a haphazard manner below. That is because it is tabulated the way I have stored them in my collection. Do note that their documentation is not complete
| Denomination | Coin Description | Year | Quantity | Comments | Catalog No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Paise - 3 | Smallest, Fully Circular | 1988 | 2 | ||
| 20 Paise - 1 | Normal | 1982-90 | 17 | ||
| 10 Paise -2 | Larger, more circular | 1972-80 | 12 | ||
| 5 Paise | 1970-1993 | 7 | |||
| 1 Paisa | 1968, 1970 | 2 | |||
| 10 Paise -1 | Smaller | 1984-1991 | 19 | ||
| 5 Paise | Longer font size of 5 | 1978-1990 | 5 | ||
| 3 Paise | 1964 | 1 | |||
| 2 Paise | 1961-75 | 8 | |||
| 1 Naya Paisa | 1962 | 1 | |||
| 25 Paise - 1 | India Emblem on back | 1972-88 | 16 | ||
| 1 Pice | Horse Running | 1954 | 1 | ||
| 25 Paise -2 | 25 Naye Paise | 1963 | 1 | ||
| 25 Paise - 3 | Rhino on back | 1983-2007 | 8 | ||
| 50 Paise -1 | Small Emblem in Back | 1984-85 | 3 | ||
| 10 Paise - 4 | Golden, Shape Similar to 10 Paise-1 | 1970 | 1 | ||
| 20 Paise - 2 | Golden Lotus | 1970 | 2 | ||
| 50 Paise -2 | Big Emblem in Back | 1975-80 | 4 | ||
| 50 Paise -3 | Rounded "50" | 1968 | 1 | ||
| 50 Paise -4 | New | 2011 | 1 | ||
| 50 Paise -5 | India Map on Back | 1982 | 1 | ||
| 50 Paise -6 | 50 Years of Independence | 1997 | 1 | ||
| UK Half Anna Counterfeit | Ram, Lakshman, Sita/East India Company | 1616 | 1 | ||
| One Rupee Counterfeit | Shirdi Sai Baba/EIC | 1616 | 1 | ||
| One Rupee Counterfeit | Shiva Parvathi / EIC | 1616 | 1 | ||
| UK Half Anna Counterfeit | Guru Nanak Dev / EIC | 1717 | 1 | ||
| 1/4th Anna | Gwalior Princely State - Shri Ji Wa Ji Rao Shithe Aalijaa Wahadar | 1929 (VS 1986) | 2 | KM #177 | |
| 1/24 Kori (Dokda) | Kutch Princely State - Obverse: "George V Qaiser-i-Hind" (George V, Emperor of India), "Zarb Bhuj" (Mint: Bhuj) with date. Reverse: Date below trident (trishul) in center and legends around | 1920 (VS 1986) | 1 | Cu Metal | |
| Half Anna | Nizam Princely State - Obverse Legend: Tughra: 92 Asaf Jah Nazim Al-Mulk Bahadur Ain (Persian alphabet for O, initial of Osman on right center of Tughra) Bahadur with Date below. Reverse Legend: Nim Anna [Half Anna] (in center circle). 20 Julus Maimanat Manus Zarb Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarbad [20 reignal year associated with prosperity, struck at Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarabad] (outer circle) | 1915 (AH 1332) | 1 | Cu Metal | Y #47 |
| 2 Pai | Nizam Princely State - Obverse Legend: 92 Asaf Jah (at the top). Nazim Al-Mulk (left anti-clockwise). Bahadur (right anti-clockwise). Date below "Asaf Jah" divided on both sides. Value "Do Pai" (Two Pai) is written at the bottom. | 1944 (AH 1363) | 1 | Bronze | Y #58 |
| 2 Pai | Nizam Princely State - Obverse Legend: Tughra: 92 Asaf Jah Nazim Al-Mulk Bahadur Mim (Persian alphabet for M initial of Mahbub on right center of Tughra) Bahadur with Date below. Reverse Legend: Du Pai [Two Pie] (in center circle). 44 Julus Maimanat Manus Zarb Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarbad [44 reignal year associated with prosperity, struck at Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarabad] (outer circle) | 1906 (AH 1324) | 1 | Cu Metal | Y #35 |
| 1 Anna | Nizam Princely State - Obverse Legend: Value "1 Anna" written in four different languages in outer boundary. Tughra: 92 Asaf Jah Nazim Al-Mulk Bahadur Ain (Persian alphabet for O, initial of Osman on right center of Tughra) Bahadur with Date below. Reverse Legend: Numeral Persian 1 written with a stoke in the center. "Ek Anna" [one Anna] (left side anti-clockwise). "Sikka Usmania" [coin of Ottoman or coin of Osman] (right side anti-clockwise) | 1928 (AH1347) | 1 | Cu-Ni | Y #48 |
| 1 Tanga (60 Reis) | Portugese Goa - Obverse Legend: ESTADO DA INDIA 1952. Tiny towers and shields above divided shield on lined circle. Reverse Legend: REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA 1 TANGA. | 1952 | 1 | Bronze | KM# 19, AG# R 03.01 |
| 2 Pai | Nizam Princely State - Obverse Legend: Tughra: 92 Asaf Jah Nazim Al-Mulk Bahadur Ain (Persian alphabet for O, initial of Osman on right center of Tughra) Bahadur with Date below. Reverse Legend: Du Pai [Two Pies] (in center circle). 6 Julus Maimanat Manus Zarb Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarbad [6 reignal year associated with prosperity, struck at Farkhanda Bunyad - Haidarabad] (outer circle) | 1917 (AH 1335) | 1 | Bronze | Y #46a |
| 1 Escudo | Portugese Goa - Obverse Legend: ESTADO DA INDIA 1958. Shield on lined circle at center of Maltese Cross. Reverse Legend: REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA 1$00. Tiny towers and shields above divided shield on lined circle | 1959 | 1 | Cu-Ni Metal | KM #33 |
| 1 Tanga | Portugese Goa - Obverse Legend: ESTADO DA INDIA 1947. Divided shield with arms within globe, topped by crown of five turrets. Reverse Legend: REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA 1 TANGA. | 1947 | 1 | Y #46a | KM #24 |
| 1/4th Tanga (15 Reis) | Portugese Goa - Obverse Legend: CARLOS I REI DE PORTUGAL - MCMI. Head of Carlos I facing right in the center. Date at the bottom. Reverse Legend: INDIA PORTUGUEZA - 1/4 TANGA. Crowned shield in center | 1901 (MCMI) | 1 | Bronze | KM #15 |
| 1/8th Tanga(7.5 Reis) | Portugese Goa - Obverse Legend: CARLOS I REI DE PORTUGAL - MCMI. Head of Carlos I facing right in the center. Date at the bottom. Reverse Legend: INDIA PORTUGUEZA - 1/4 TANGA. Crowned shield in center | 1903 (MCMIII) | 1 | Bronze | KM #14 |
| Quarter Rupee | George VI - Obverse: An Indian tiger standing and facing left. The legend below in two lines: INDIA with date. Surrounded by the value in Devnagri, English and Urdu. Engraver: Patrick W. M. Brindley. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR. | 1946 | 1 | Ni, Bombay Mint | KM #548 |
| Half Rupee | George VI - Obverse: An Indian tiger standing and facing left. The legend below in two lines: INDIA with date. Surrounded by the value in Devnagri, English and Urdu. Engraver: Patrick W. M. Brindley. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR. | 1947 | 1 | Ni, Bombay Mint | KM #553 |
| One Rupee | George VI - Obverse: An Indian tiger standing and facing left. The legend below in two lines: INDIA with date. Surrounded by the value in Devnagri, English and Urdu. Engraver: Patrick W. M. Brindley. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR. | 1947 | 1 | Ni, Bombay Mint | KM #559 |
| 2 Annas | George VI - Obverse: A large numeral 2 dividing the word ANN AS. Below the 2 is the legend in two lines: INDIA with date. All this within a double quatrefoil. Within each scallop of the quatrefoil is the value in one of four native languages: Urdu, Telugu, Nagari and Bengali. Between the quatrefoil and each of the four corners of the rim is a winged ornament. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR. Smaller head, low relief, small crown and larger triangles on left and right in the center of the crown. All this with a serrated circle. Outside the circle in each corner on a raised table is a winged ornament. | 1947 | 1 | Cu-Ni, Bombay Mint | KM #542 |
| One Quarter Anna | Edward VII - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Bust facing right with legends "EDWARD VII KING AND EMPEROR" | 1907 | 1 | Bronze, Calcutta Mint | KM #502 |
| 1/12 Anna | George V - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "GEORGE V KING EMPEROR" | 1934 | 1 | Bronze, Calcutta Mint | KM #509 |
| 1 Pice (Quarter Anna) | George VI - Obverse: Central hole with imperial crown above. Around the upper half of the hole is the English legend divided by the crown: 1 PICE INDIA. Around the lower half is the value in Hindi (left) and Urdu (right) separated by the date in the center. All within a raised, toothed rim | 1944 | 1 | Bronze, Bombay Mint, High Crown | KM#532 / KM#533 |
| One Quarter Anna | Queen Victoria - Obverse: Date and denomination "ONE QUARTER ANNA INDIA" with date below, all within a dotted circle. Wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "QUEEN VICTORIA" | 1862 | 1 | Cu Metal | KM #467 |
| 2 Annas | George V - Obverse: Crowned bust facing left within circle. "GEORGE V KING EMPEROR" within inner circle. Date divided. design above and "INDIA" written below. Reverse: Large numeral 2 with the word ANNAS below and within a square composed of two plain lines. Along each outer edge of the square is the value in one of four native languages: Urdu (at the top), Telugu (at the bottom), Nagri (on the left side) and Bengali (on the right side). All within a plain, raised rim. Engraver: Edgar Bertram MacKennal. | 1918/19 | 1 | Cu-Ni, Calcutta Mint | KM #516 |
| One Quarter Anna | George V - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "GEORGE V KING EMPEROR" | 1936, 34 | 2 | Bronze, Calcutta Mint | KM #512 |
| One Quarter Anna | George VI - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR". Second Head, Large head, low relief, large triangles on left and right in the center of the crown. This coin has nine dots within center circle | 1940 | 1 | Bronze, Bombay Mint | KM #530 / KM #531 |
| 1/12 Anna | George VI - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR". Second Head, Small head, low relief, large triangles on left and right in the center of the crown | 1942 | 1 | Bronze, Bombay Mint | KM #527 |
| 1 Anna | George VI - Obverse: A large numeral 1 dividing the word ANNA. Above the numeral is the word INDIA and below is the date. All within a decorative diamond. Along each outer side of the diamond is the value in one of four native languages: Urdu, Telugu, Nagari and Bengali. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR. First head with high relief and smaller triangles on left and right in the center of the crown | 1939 | 1 | Cu-Ni, Bombay Mint | KM #536 |
| One Quarter Anna | George VI - Obverse: Date and denomination within circle, wreath surrounds. Reverse: Crowned bust facing left with legends "GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR". Second Head, Large head, low relief, large triangles on left and right in the center of the crown. This coin has nine dots within center circle | 1940 | 1 | Bronze, Bombay Mint | KM #530 / KM #531 |
| 1/2 Anna | George VI - Obverse: 1/2 dividing the word AN NA and surrounded by the legend: INDIA with date. All within an ornamental square. Between each of the outer sides of the square and each corner of the rim is the value in native languages: Urdu, Telugu, Nagari and Bengali. Reverse: Crowned head of the King facing left and surrounded by the legend: GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR, within a raised and toothed circular border | 1942 | 1 | Ni-brass, Bombay Mint | KM #534b.1 |
| Half Anna | East India Company - Obverse: Arms of the Company. Date between the scroll and the ribbon. The motto on the ribbon: AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG: Reverse: The value within a wreath of laurel: ONE ANNA. Between the tips of the wreath is the value in Persian (Do pai = two pice). Around this the legend: EAST INDIA COMPANY. | 1835 | 1 | Cu, Bombay/Madras Mint (don't know) | KM #447.1 |
| One Quarter Anna | Bikanir State / Victoria Empress - Ganga Singh in name of Victoria Empress: Copper Quarter Anna. An example of the coinage minted at the British mints on behalf of the Princely States. The quarter annas were issued only in 1895. | 1895 | 1 | Cu Metal | KM #71 |
| One Quarter Anna | East India Company - Obverse: Arms of the Company. Date between the scroll and the ribbon. The motto on the ribbon: AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG: Reverse: The value within a wreath of laurel: ONE ANNA. Between the tips of the wreath is the value in Persian (Do pai = two pice). Around this the legend: EAST INDIA COMPANY. | 1835 | 1 | Cu Metal | KM #446.2 |
| 1/12 Anna | East India Company - Obverse: Arms of the Company, with the date between the scroll and the ribbon. The ribbon bears the abbreviated Latin motto: AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG: with date 1835. Reverse: The Value in English and Persian (Suls pai = One-third pice): 1/12 ANNA Within a laurel wreath. Around this is the legend: EAST INDIA COMPANY. Large legends | 1835 | 1 | Cu Metal | KM #445 |
| Half Anna | East India Company - Obverse: Arms of the Company. Date between the scroll and the ribbon. The motto on the ribbon: AUSP: REG: & SEN: ANG: Reverse: The value within a wreath of laurel: HALF ANNA. Between the tips of the wreath is the value in Persian (Do pai = Two Pice). Around this is the legend: EAST INDIA COMPANY. | 1845 | 1 | Cu, Calcutta Mint | KM #447.1 |
| 4 Annas | George V - Obverse: Crowned bust left within circle. Obverse Legend: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR INDIA. Reverse: Denomination within square | 1919 | 1 | Cu, Calcutta Mint | KM #519 |
| Silver Rupee | Bombay Presidency - Legend, naming Muhammad Shah, including AH date 11xx. Legend, including mint name Munbai, mintmark sunburst or 6-petalled flower without stem, and regnal year | (1719-1748) | 1 | Silver, Mumbai Mint | Pridmore 44, KM 163, MNI 1696 var |
